My Dad is 85 and had dementia for about 5 years. He's been at home with a carer and myself looking after him.
Last few months had been getting impossible for the both of us, so we had my father taken in to care. He has been there 2 weeks and in that time has eaten vitually nothing, and drunk very little. A doctor saw him last Friday and refered him to hospital.
They sent him back to the home untreated, saying he was would not accept treatment. Why could they not sedate him to re-hydrate/tube feed him. Someone said they dont/wont sedate elderly patients in case of legal action. Now he's back at the home and he's lost a lot of weight and is more confused. He is in a lot worse state than when we took him there. This is a man that ate 3 good meals a day when at home. I think it was the shock of being taken out of his element.
Of coure it being Xmas, the social worker and Dr's are on leave although the Dr is back tomorrow. I was sorely tempted to bring him home although we would be in the lurch if he suddenly deterioated.
If he doesn't eat soon, he's going to die.
I curse this disease. It's the sheer helplessness of it all.
Last few months had been getting impossible for the both of us, so we had my father taken in to care. He has been there 2 weeks and in that time has eaten vitually nothing, and drunk very little. A doctor saw him last Friday and refered him to hospital.
They sent him back to the home untreated, saying he was would not accept treatment. Why could they not sedate him to re-hydrate/tube feed him. Someone said they dont/wont sedate elderly patients in case of legal action. Now he's back at the home and he's lost a lot of weight and is more confused. He is in a lot worse state than when we took him there. This is a man that ate 3 good meals a day when at home. I think it was the shock of being taken out of his element.
Of coure it being Xmas, the social worker and Dr's are on leave although the Dr is back tomorrow. I was sorely tempted to bring him home although we would be in the lurch if he suddenly deterioated.
If he doesn't eat soon, he's going to die.
I curse this disease. It's the sheer helplessness of it all.